I know my students.Masses of awkward seventh graders swarm the halls of my rural middle school each day,hauling backpacks over one shoulder,talking and shuffling along the tile hallway floor from class to class.I watch them like a general from my post,my classroom door,and smile at the fact that I can call each one by name.I know their secrets,their stories.Dora slouches and is shy,and I know it is because she spends all her time at home trying not to get noticed,so she won’t feel the brunt of her stepfather’s angry hand.Jay can pitch like a tenth grader,and all the girls swoon when he and his blond hair strut by,but I know he doesn’t really even like baseball that much he plays because his dad wants him to and he is too scared to ask out the girl he likes.The kids think Keith is just the class clown,but I know of his dreams to become an astronaut and I’ve recommended him for space camp.I know my students because I am their writing teacher.They trust me with their stories and so I am given the privilege of having a secret bond with each and every one of them.I teach my students about the power of words,and I try to let them find release and expression through writing.We learn to trust each other in writing class because we learn how hard it is to write openly and honestly,and we learn that sharing your words takes courage.I see courage every day in my classroom,and I am always amazed at the words that come from my students’hearts.One such example of courage took place during author’s chair,a sharing session at the end of our writer’s workshop in which students volunteer to share what they have written.
We had a new student to the school,Al.Al was small and,with his dimpled cheeks and baby face,he looked younger than his classmates.In fact,when Al was first introduced to the class two weeks earlier,one student said,“You’re not in the seventh grade.You’re a baby.”To that,Al quickly responded,“I’m Al Billslington,and I am in the seventh grade.”Despite his obvious courage,Al had been with us for only a short while and was still trying to fit in.So I was a little surprised when he volunteered to read during author’s chair.I had one of those teacher moments,when I smiled and nodded for him to read,while inside I said a silent prayer that the other students would not tease the new kid after he read.The room fell silent,and Al began to read.“If I had one wish,it would be to meet my dad...”He started out loud and clear and held the attention of my usually restless seventh graders as he read on for what seemed like fifteen minutes.He told of how he had never known his father,who had left the family when Al was a baby.